Thursday, December 27, 2012

Indonesia set to go full booze ban next year

Muslims pushing back on Western sex, booze and rock 'n roll culture

From Eric Dondero:

The days of the wild partying Aussies, Brits and other Westerners with all their wallets full of cash ready to spend at Bali bars, may be numbered. With the rise in influence of the Islamist parties, now with solid majorities in parliament, the tourism industry may fall prey to the demands of Sharia.

Indonesia will consider banning all alcohol and putting drinkers in jail for up to two years.

The ban, which would decimate the night life in tourist haven Bali, has been proposed and listed on Indonesia's national parliamentary legislative agenda for next year.

The Bill for a Ban on Alcoholic Drinks was drafted by the predominantly Islamic United Development Party, a member of the President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's, governing coalition.

Those who produce alcoholic drinks would be subject to penalties of up to 10 years in prison and Rupiah10 billion ($1 million) in fines; there would be $520,000 in fines and five years in prison for those who distribute them, and two years' imprisonment and a $20,800 fine for those who consume alcohol.

Yes, you read that right. Up to 10 years in prison for the crime of producing alcohol. Of course, that would mean the end of the Indonesian beer industry. Indonesian brands Multi Bintang and Bir Bintang for example, are considered some of the finest of brews worldwide. And the beer industry employes 10s of thousands in its factories. But the ban presumably, would also apply to any home beer brewers.

Note - The Phillipines recently granted semi-autonomy to the most southern islands with a majority Muslim population.